Please keep in mind that, although I do my best to try to keep this page current, you should check to make sure the event in which you are interested is actually happening.

NEW NEW NEW!

Open Stage hosted by Paul Snelgrove and Patty McLaughlin at Sgt. Pepper's Pub & Grill, 115 First Commerce Drive, Unit 7, Aurora, Ontario(404 & Wellington Plaza) on Wednesday nights. 8:00pm-11:00pm
If you play an instrument or sing come out and do a short set. If you don't, come and listen. There is always something for everyone!

OpenFolk is back with its Sunday Open Stage & Studio ... 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Barrie. Your genial host for the weekly gathering is Doc Higgins. doc@openfolk.net
. STREAMED LIVE on the OpenFolk.net. You can find a list of upcoming feature performers on the website
(along with general info, artist profiles, and a map) http://www.openfolk.net

OpenFolk !! (FREE - not-for-profit, cooperative orientation)
It's a bit more than an Open Stage, it's a community Studio.
Yes, Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. come try it out. It's free.
Lots of opportunity for Open Stage sets for everyone.
And, of course, those who just want to listen and enjoy
are very welcome. BYOB if you wish.

Kirk Felix is hosting an Open Mic at Good Times Bar and Grill on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month beginning on November 20, 2014 from 7 pm to 11 pm. Sign-up begins at 6:30pm. All acoustic, sorry no keyboard...everyone welcome to share their artistic talent.

This is at 17080 Bathurst Street, Newmarket, just north of Mulock on the left.

Limelight Orillia takes place the second Friday of each month at Alladin's Banquet Hall, 1035 Mississaga St W, Orillia, Ontario.

Performances range from dance, music, original poetry, readings from short storys, spoken word, and even whistling! There is always something new to discover and the audience votes each month for a winner.

Fifty percent of proceeds from these events go to The Couchiching Community Initiative, a project of Camp Couchiching. The CCI provides local programs and resources with social value to the community of Orillia. Visit https://www.facebook.com/CouchichingCommunityInitiative

Tiffin Bay Folk Club's Open Mic takes place Saturdays from 1:00 to 5:00pm at the Midland Cultural Centre, King Street, in Midland. There's a P.A. set up so you only need to bring your instruments and plug in.Check the MCC's website for more details or email Nonie: noniec@sentex.net

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The Sunshine Ukelele Network will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the Orillia Public Library - meeting room # 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. All uke lovers are welcome. No expertise required. You can check out the facebook page or email sunshine.ukuleles@rogers.com

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The Canoe Fresh Food Market, also known as The Bakery, in beautiful downtown Washago, has started hosting a live music event once a month on Saturdays; starts at 8 PM. Probably seats and stands about 35-40 people and it was packed last time. The coffee and tea and food is amazing, not to mention the music and the whole social event. Nice people and nice surroundings and ambience.

On hiatus for the winter months!

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The Library Restaurant,
526 Hugel Ave.,
Midland, ON
will host an Open Mic/Jam every Tuesday night in The Study (or Patio weather permitting) beginning at 8:00pm and wrapping up around midnight. This is a great time to showcase your skills, or hear from some local talents - live and interactive! :) The Library also presents live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday night beginning at 9:00pm For information call
(705) 528-0100,email info@thelibraryrestaurant.ca or visit http://www.thelibraryrestaurant.ca/

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The Barrie Folk Society, in conjunction with the Barrie Public Library, hosts An Unplugged Friday Night Open Stage at the downtown library. Watch the BarrieFolk website for details. www.barriefolk.com Door opens at 6:30 for performers to sign up. Music plays from 7:00-9:00ish. Donations are welcome.

Orillia Folk Society sponsors the Monday Night Song Circle every Monday from 7-10pm. Join in with a song or just come to enjoy a wide variety of musical styles and talents. Friends' Meeting House, 231Westmount Drive South (very south), Orillia, Ontario. Toss in a twonnie + $1. for coffee and costs.

For information contact Jives cyberfolkie@hotmail.com

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- Open Stage every Thursday as GOOD VIBES Coffeehouse has a 7:00pm start (arrive early if you plan to sign up for your 15 minutes of fame) at Mt. St. Louis Parish Hall, 4th Con and Mt. St. Louis Road. Light refreshments are available. $5.00 donation for those who can afford to pay. For information contact John Vella 705-528-0611. website : Good Vibes

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Washago Jam takes place the third Wednesday of every month (from September till June) at the Lions Hall in Washago. It is mostly rock and blues and plugged in! Lots of fun I am told! 7 pm till 11 pm.

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Wayne Buttery and the Groove Project Blues Jam happens every Wednesday evening at The Beacon Restaurant, 146 - 45th Street North, (Mosley Street at 45th Street in Wasaga Beach). 7:00-11:00pm. Phone # 705.429.4050. Musicians are encouraged to bring their own Instrument (voice,guitar, bass, sticks, etc). Sit in, or just sit
back and listen to some blues while enjoying some great food and a beverage. Wednesday evenings in Wasaga Beach will never be the same!
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TREE RING TUESDAYS starts up in 4 venues in Bracebridge, Huntsville and Burks Falls featuring the fine regional performers of TREE RING RECORDS. Every Tuesday night from 8 pm - 10 pm, you can catch a double bill featuring singer/songwriters on a "pay what you can" basis. This means that a hat (or something to catch $ in) will be passed and all that you will be asked for is what you can afford to pay that will be monetarily beneficial to the artists. Tuesdays are Wing Night at Michael's On Main, so come and munch and wash it down with some fine Highlander Beer as you feast your ears and soul. For reservations call (705) 384-5447.

Wild Angel Coffee House, 266 Albert Street in Victoria Harbour, has moved to a new day. To accomodate everyone, we are moving to the last Saturday of each month, starting May 31. Doors open at 7:00p:m. Hope to see you at the coffeehouse.

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Circle jam on Thursday nights at The Surf in Balm Beach begins at 7pm hosted by Cathryn and Tom.
In this format each person introduces a song, inviting others to play along, or add a break, or harmonies.
It will be strictly acoustic. The point of the jam is to share music with other musicians, much like an old fashioned céilidh (kitchen party). Bring an instrument, your enthusiasm (or restraint) and enjoy an evening of DIY music. Contact Cathryn at watermarkdesigninc@gmail.com for more information and directions.

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The music is live at the Lady Bug Cafe, 342 King Street in Midland every Tuesday evening from 5:00-8:00pm. The LadyBug Cafe features freshly made sandwiches,
soups, salads, baked goods, freshly brewed coffee,
tea, cappuccino, espresso and latte, and is fully licensed.

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Truly Bluegrass is hosting a "stage jam" at Salvatore's, 263 Queen St., Port Perry, on the first Thursday of
every month.
Come to listen, or bring your bluegrass instrument to have some stage time.
We had a great turn out in February, with lots of audience, Rosewood, and
numerous individual pickers and singers.
Great food, beverages of your choice, and bluegrass music .......... who
could ask for anything more? Did I mention the scrumptious pastries? Mmmmm!

Traditional Music Sessions at The Dam Pub, Thornbury from 8 to 10 p.m., every second and fourth Wednesday. For traditional tune players (Irish, Scottish, Canadian, Quebecois etc. with traditional singers welcome). Suitable for all levels. www.thedampub.ca

Also a weekly Bluegrass Jam at the Owen Sound Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Thursday nights at 7:00 pm

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The Orillia Folk Society, in co-operation with the Orillia Farmer's Market, is pleased to present Music in the Marketplace. (9:00-noon every Saturday May through September at the Orillia Opera House), West & Mississauga Streets, Orillia. Toss a few bucks in the case to help support the OFS's community outreach programme.

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The Haliburton County Folk Society
presents an *OPEN STAGE* on the third Saturday of each month at the Haliburton Highlands Museum(see map) 66 Museum Road, Haliburton, Ontario
...
705-457-8902 Host: Kris Kadwell
. For more information, contact
info@haliburtonfolk.com or call(705) 754-FOLK (3655).http://www.haliburtonfolk.com/

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Open Mike Old Courthouse Theatre, 1235 3rd Ave East, Owen Sound (above the GBFS office) the second Friday each month at 7 pm for our Open Mike series. Players are invited to perform 3 or 4 previously rehearsed tunes, original or covers. All ages are welcome, sign up at the door. We have a comfortable 55 seat hall, professional sound system and lighting. This is great for anyone who is polishing their act, pro's wanting to try out some new material or anyone who is a basement player and just wanted to see what it feels like to get 'up on stage'. We especially welcome young performers to come out and develop their musical talent.
This is a casual evening for all. A guest host will open and close each one. $5 admission at the door, players and GBFS members admitted free.

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Fiddlers and music lovers...First Friday Fiddle Jams in Orangeville. Please come if you
can, and tell your friends as well. We will be in the Friendship Room at Westminster United Church on Broadway (you can honestly say you have
played on Broadway!!) from 7 pm to 11 pm. Bring a pop or a coffee if you wish, and be prepared to enjoy some great music. FIRST FRIDAY OF
THE MONTH- mark it on your calendars. For more information contact Eleanor@fiddlee@hotmail.com

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Juice & Java House located at 20 Main St. S, Brampton, Ontario will be hosting Acoustic Musician’s Night on Friday nights between 7:30 and 9:00. Come out with your instrument and your songs and share your talent with all the Folks over a cup o’coffee. The microphone will be turned on and will be waiting. The Juice & Java House is located in the heart of the old town of Brampton on Main Street (Hwy 10) right across from the City Hall. For more information toss us an email at ...JuiceJavaHouse[spamblocker]@aol.com.

There is a community drum circle held the 2nd Wednesday evening of each month at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Community Care Centre, 70 Wellington Street West, Barrie. Times are 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Refreshments and percussion instruments provided. Contact person is Anne Marie Ireland at irelandan@rvh.on.ca. For persons 16years of age and older.

There is a community drum circle held on the 4th Wednesday evening of each month at the Canadian Mental Health Association, 39 High Street, Barrie. Times are 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Contact person is Anne Marie Ireland at irelandan@rvh.on.ca. For persons 16 years of age and older.

The BRACEBRIDGE COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE meets at 7:30 Tuesday nights. Free. Everyone is welcome, from the beginner to the well experienced. Drummers and dancers most welcome. As well, instruments which compliment drumming such as australian didgeridoos, Tibetan Buddhist's horns and bowls, native flutes, etc...are more than welcome. Please feel free to bring shakers, rattles, shakeres, agogo bells, cow bells, and any other hand percussion instruments. For more information please contact Leslee Tassie at s.tassie@sympatico.ca or Mi-Shell Jessen at Bearpaw@muskoka.com

Willie P. Bennett

My favourite Willie P. story involves a sunny afternoon, a shady hillside, a perfect landscape featuring the Superior shoreline and Willie playing a harmonica duet with a train. You really had to be there to feel the magic as he played the harp into the sound hole of his mandolin and listened to the sweet music echo off the Paju.

I remember someone asking him later how much he had paid the engineer.

He has more great songs out of print than most Canadian songwriters have ever written. He will be sorely missed!

THE FridayFolk ARCHIVES

FridayFolk 06/07 began with a wonderful show at True North with one of my favourite people; Katherine Wheatley! An eclectic blending of sorrow, joy and hope into an evening of comraderie, this was a great way to christen the remarkable space Troy has created upstairs. Tranby Croft, Mose Scarlett, Angie Nussey, Chuck Baker, Frida's Brow and Dean McTaggart also graced the FridayFolk stage. At the end of the 2007 season I handed over the reins of power to Alyssa Wright. Latest updates always on Live@Jives's Folkie Calendar.

Fall 2005 saw outside the lines on September 30, Wendell Ferguson and the Smoking Section on October 21
and Lynn Miles on November 25th 2005. In the New Year we presented a series of House Concerts in locations in and around Orillia - exposing lesser known talents to the Live Music audience. Ian North & Likewater on February 24th, 2006 at the Friends' Meeting House and Rob Ritchie on March 31 at the Webers. Juno award winning Jenny Whiteley took the series back to Swanmore Hall on May 5th. Support Live Music...check some of these shows out

2005 kicked off with a FridayFolk Goes Home show in January featuring Geoff Somers at Susan and Ron's charming domicile in the Oro Medonte hills. February 25th saw Canadian legend Willie P. Bennett in concert at Swanmore Hall in Orillia. Rodney Brown told his tales of the north at the Zen Waffle Inn in April. A wonderful time was had by all at the Spring Fling at the Eady Hall and an incredible acoustic show with Rita Chiarelli wrapped up our spring shows at the end of May.

Some FridayFolk history....The 2003/4 season kicked off with the Shards, an incredibly energetic celtic band with serious attitude and talent who rocked the Sundial Inn(Travelodge) on the last Friday in September. The autumn line up included ( songer/songwriter extraordinare) Norm Hacking and Suzie Vinnick (the Queen of the Blues). Mose Scarlett started the New Year off right in January..once again at the Sundial...followed by February's Diamonds in the Rough doubleheader of Chuck Baker and brilliant songwriter/spoken word artist/ social activist Evalyn Parry. Manitoba Hal Brolund blew everyone away with his incredible original blues material in March and the Spring Fling, celtic country dance in April at the brand newly refurbished Eady Hall was a riot!

EILEEN LAVERTY KICKED OFF THE 02/03 FRIDAYFOLK CONCERTS, followed by TERRY TUFTS in October and a wonderful show from BOB SNIDER in November. The
New Year brought Nancy White , Clay Tyson & Suzanne deBussac, Tamarack, James Gordon and don't forget the Spring Fling with Heartwood and caller Lorraine Sutton.

Thank you for supporting all the wonderful talent The Orillia Folk Society has been able to bring to Orillia! The Millenium Turning year saw performance from artists as varied as Rick Fielding and Erin Benjamin....Vox Violins to David Francey...John Prince and a Piece of the Rock to Nancy White...Swanmore Hall was filled to capacity with knowledgeable, attentive and appreciative audiences. Thanks for coming out to hear great Canadian talent!

For your information and enjoyment check out the photo archives of A Fifth of Donstock (2000) There are lots of thumbnails. A Fifth of Donstock Grab a coffee!

The A Fifth of Donstock memory site is up and running. George Coventry, Ken Dunn,Don Bray, Lu Robitaille and the Sound Waves, John Francis, Dave MacMillan, Dave Joyce & Carol Teal, Ron Bobbette, The Velcrows and Ernie's Cookie Jar, Suzanne deBussac and Free Radicals are some of the stars you can admire.

Contact Jives If you have any pictures of your own you think would add your own memories to ours...please send them along to jives!